Eye Marker Tip

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an eye marker tip that includes a base, one or more marking wings, and a marking element attached to a marking wing and configured to deliver ink (or another indicator) to a surface of an eye. Embodiments may include a hollow or translucent post and light channel, or a base having a fixation button, to form a central light shape visible to a patient. Embodiments may include either or both of a magnifying lens and a parabolic light deflector, to form circles of light that may be used in connection with a central light shape to properly align the eye marker tip with a patient&#39;s eye.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/427,253, filed Mar. 22, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/466,506, filed Mar. 23, 2011, thecontent of which are incorporated in their entirety. This applicationalso claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/927,754,filed Jan. 15, 2014, the content of which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The application describes improved eye marker tips for marking the eye.

BACKGROUND

This application addresses the problem of long lasting accurate marksapplied to the ocular surface as needed. In the field of refractivesurgery there exists a need to place ink marks on the eye in order toorient the treatment of astigmatism. In the field of cataract surgery, acorneal astigmatism can be balanced by an intraocular toric lens implantthat has a curved surface that counterbalances the corneal astigmatism.In such methods for treating astigmatism, the eye should be markedbefore surgery in order to properly position the treatment of theastigmatism.

Patients undergoing such treatments are required to have the operativesite marked with a surgical marker before being brought into theoperating room. However, conventional marking devices suffer from issuesof inadequate ink transfer to the eye surface, principally due to thefact that only a thin layer of ink is being transferred to an ocularsurface, and that surface is wet from the ocular tear film. As aconsequence, the patient blinks off ink marks from conventional markingdevices in a matter of minutes.

Additionally, it is well known that the eye position rotates orundergoes cyclotorsion when the patient moves from a vertical or sittingposition to a lying or horizontal position. The change in positioncreates an error in marking an eye, and the error can be upwards of 20degrees, which is clinically significant. As a consequence, the bestpractice is to mark the patient's eye while the patient is in a verticalor sitting position, because that position is the normal position foruse of the eyes. However, the best practice often conflicts with thetypical operating room sequence of having the patient lying down,prepared for surgery, draped, and ready for the surgeon before thesurgeon enters the room. The need to mark the patient in the sittingposition delays the normal preparation sequence for surgery. Analternative sequence is to pre-mark a patient in a separate preparationarea, in which oral sedation and IVs are administered. The pre-markingmay be administered with a surgical ink marker pen to the area where thecornea meets the sclera. Such conventional markers leave a lasting dotof ink not found on the thin film of ink applied with sterile metalmarkers. However, the placement of surgical ink marker dots is impreciseand over time the dots tend to smear leaving the pin point intendedlocation in question.

The conventional sequence now requires surgeons to mark the patient'sbrow over the eye having surgery prior to being moved to the operatingroom. Because every patient gets a correct surgical site identificationmark with a surgical marker over the brow, it is convenient for thesurgeon to add marks on the eye at the same time. Because conventionalmetal markers retain only a thin film of ink that is blinked off withinminutes, they are not effective for marking outside of the operatingroom. Consequently, the only lasting marks that can be made beforesurgery under conventional methods are ink dots placed in the generalhorizontal and vertical meridians. As noted, these hand placed dots arenot precise and tend to smear over time.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As can be seen, the conventional system for marking the eye fortreatment of astigmatism is complex, and suffers from limitations withrespect to at least the accuracy of the marks placed, how the procedureis performed, and how the patient is prepared for surgery. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/427,253, which is fully incorporated byreference, describes improved eye marker devices overcoming theshortfalls of the conventional devices and system for marking the eyefor treatment of astigmatism. This application describes improved eyemarker tips for use with eye marker devices, such as the devicesdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253. Theembodiments of eye marker tips described herein are described in thecontext of the eye marker devices described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/427,253, but the eye marker tips described herein are notmeant to be limited to use with the eye marker devices described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253.

The eye marker tips described herein may be utilized on an eye markerdevice, such as, for example only, the eye marker devices described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253. Embodiments of the eyemarker tips described herein may be used in connection with other eyemarker devices.

According to some embodiments, an eye marker tip comprises a base, atleast one marking wing, and a marking element engaged to the markingwing and configured to deliver ink (or another indicator) to the surfaceof a patient's eye.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip comprises a hollowpost. The post may be configured for attachment to a corresponding eyemarker device. The post may be configured to allow light to pass from alight source, such as a light source from a corresponding eye markerdevice, and to the base.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the eyemarker tip comprises two marking wings. The marking wings may be onsubstantially opposite sides of a base, such that marking elements mayapply ink markings at a 180-degree angle.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip comprises a lightchannel for allowing light to proceed through the eye marker tip, from alight source, such as a light source from a corresponding eye markerdevice, and through the base, and ultimately to a patient's eye.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip comprises attachmentelements for positioning the eye marker tip on a corresponding eyemarker device.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip is disposable. Someembodiments of the eye marker tip may be entirely disposable. Otherembodiments may have a disposable upper portion that may be removed froma lower portion.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip is composed entirelyor partially of plastic. In some embodiments, portions of components ofthe eye marker tip are formed from one or more plastics. In someembodiments, a plastic may be clear, transparent, and/or translucent.The plastic may allow light to pass through all or a portion of the eyemarker tip to illuminate a surface, such as the surface of a patient'seye.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip includes a base havinga fixation button. In some embodiments, the fixation button may bedisposed on the magnifier lens.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip includes a base havinga magnifying lens, such that light from a light source may be magnifiedto form a magnified light shape, such as a circle, when viewed by apatient. A magnifying lens may include an indicator line.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip includes a base havinga parabolic light deflector or prism. In some embodiments, the paraboliclight deflector may be disposed on the magnifier lens. The paraboliclight deflector may axially deflect all or a portion of light receivedfrom a light source, to form a deflected shape, such as a circle, whenviewed by a patient.

According to some embodiments, proper alignment of the eye marker tiprelative to a patient's eye may be achieved by aligning light from acentral light, such as a hollow or translucent post and light channel ora fixation button, light from a magnifying lens, and/or light from aparabolic light deflector.

According to some embodiments, the eye marker tip includes at least oneaxis dial disposed on an outer portion of the housing.

According to some embodiments, an eye marker tip may include astress-breaker feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The eye marker tips illustrated and described herein are made withreference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbersdenote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an eye marker tip;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an eye marker tip;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an embodiment of an eye markertip;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of an embodiment of an eye markertip;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of an eye markertip;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an eye marker tip;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are side, top, and bottom views, respectively, ofanother embodiment of an eye marker tip, and FIG. 7D shows a perspectiveview of another embodiments of an eye marker tip;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an alignment technique that may beincorporated into embodiments of an eye marker tip;

FIGS. 9A and 9B shows a side view and a perspective view, respectively,of another embodiment of an eye marker tip; and

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an eye marker tip having flexion pointsor regions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of an eye marker tip 10 isillustrated in FIGS. 1-6. Eye marker tip 10 may be configured for usewith an eye marker device, such as the eye marker devices described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253, which is fully incorporatedherein by reference. Other embodiments may be configured for use withother eye marker devices.

Eye marker tips as described herein have a proximal end for connectionor removable attachment to an eye marker device, and a distal end havingone or more marking elements. For example, eye marker tip 10 comprises adistal end, at the left side of FIG. 1, and a proximal end, at the rightside of FIG. 1. The distal end in this embodiment comprises a base 12with a post 14 extending from the base 12. In this embodiment, base 12and post 14 are generally cylindrical or ovular, although otherembodiments that include a post may use alternate shapes for post 14.Base 12 and post 14 may include structure for aligning the eye markertip 10 with a corresponding eye marker device in a removably attachedconfiguration, such as the protrusions 28 that project proximally frombase 12 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6. Other embodiments mayfeature one or more such protrusions or similar structure, orindentations or grooves that correspond to protrusions in acorresponding eye marker device, on the eye marker tip. Some embodimentsmay include an indicator arrow (or other shape), such as an arrow, onthe surface of the lower portion, to indicate the position of the eyemarker tip relative to the corresponding eye marker device whenattached. Embodiments of the eye marker tip 10 may have a longitudinalaxis from the distal end to the proximal end, and base 12 and post 14may be centered or aligned with the longitudinal axis as shown in FIGS.1 and 3, for example. In this embodiment, the post 14 has a first endand a second end, whereby the post 14 extends proximally from theproximal end of the base 12, such that base 12 and post 14 are alignedwith the longitudinal axis.

Some embodiments of eye marker tip 10 include a post 14 configured toallow light to pass between the first end and the second end. The lightmay originate from the proximal end, provided by a light source, such asan eye marker device, and may be transmitted distally. For example, insome embodiments, the post 14 features a hollow shaft running throughthe long axis between the first and second ends, along the longitudinalaxis of the eye marker tip 10. Other embodiments may feature a shaftwith a hollow interior portion. As further examples, post 14 in someembodiments may be made from a transparent or translucent material, orpost 14 may include a portion that is made from a transparent ortranslucent material. In embodiments having a post 14 with a hollowshaft, hollow interior portion, transparent or translucent material, orcombinations thereof, light may pass through post 14 and othercomponents of the eye marker tip 10 described below. Embodiments with apost 14 configured to allow light to pass between the first end and thesecond end may provide additional features as described below.

Embodiments of the eye marker tip 10 may include one or more positionindicators 30. A position indicator 30 may be located in a region thatis visible to the user. For example, a position indicator 30 may bedisposed on the external surface of the base 12. In some embodiments, aposition indicator may be placed on an interior surface of the base 12,provided that the indicator is visible to the user. In embodiments witha position indicator placed on an interior surface of base 12, theposition indicator may be a groove that is pigmented. In someembodiments, the position indicator may include a surface marking, suchas arrow or notch, that provides a visual representation of the positionof the eye marker tip 10 relative to an eye marking device (not shown inthe drawings). Other embodiments may include one or more types ofposition indicators.

The eye marker tip 10 may include structural elements for removablyattaching the eye marker tip 10 to an eye marking device (not shown inthe drawings). The attachment elements used in an embodiment will dependon the corresponding eye marker device. For example, the base 12 in theeye marker tip 10 of FIGS. 1-6 includes protrusions 28 that projectproximally from base 12 for positioning the eye marker tip on acorresponding eye marking device (not shown in the drawings).

Embodiments of the eye marker tip 10 may include structure protrudingdistally from the distal side of the base 12, including, for example, anupper area, a light channel, and one or more marking wings. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, an upper area 16 extends distally frombase 12, is generally cylindrical or ovular, and has a diameter slightlyless than the diameter of the base 12. In this embodiment, light channel18 and a pair of marking wings 20 protrude distally from the upper area16. In some embodiments, structure such as a light channel or a markingwing may protrude from base 12, or from both base 12 and upper area 16.In some embodiments, light channel 18 may protrude radially and distallyfrom one or more of base 12, upper area 16, and light channel 18. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, marking wings 20 extend distally fromupper area 16 and radially and distally from opposite sides of lightchannel 18. It should be appreciated that a number of configurations arepossible without departing from the principles described herein.

Light channel 18 may be configured to allow light to pass from the eyemarker device (not shown), through post 14, and through the lightchannel 18. For example, light channel 18 may be hollow, include ahollow shaft or a hollow interior portion, be made of a transparent ortranslucent material, include a transparent or translucent region. Inembodiments with a light channel 18 configured to allow light to pass,the light may be visible to the patient through an opening 22 at adistal end of the light channel 18. In some embodiments, opening 22 maybe physically open to allow light to pass. In other embodiments, opening22 may include a transparent or translucent material or region to allowlight to pass. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening 22 in someembodiments may include a lens 26 that allows the light to appear to theuser in a particular shape, such as a circle, to assist the user inmaintaining a point of focus.

As discussed above, embodiments of the eye marker tip 10 include one ormore marking wings 20. A marking wing 20 extends distally from one ormore other components of the eye marker tip 10, such as base 12, upperportion 16, and light channel 18. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6,marking wings 20 extend from the base 12 towards the distal end of thelight channel 18. In this embodiment, the distal end of the markingwings 20 extends distally farther than the opening 22 and the distal endof the light channel 18. In this embodiment, the marking wings 20 extendradially outwardly from the light channel 18, but other geometries arepossible for other embodiments. A marking element 24 is contained on thetop portion of each marking wing 20. It should be appreciated that otherconfigurations and relative positions are possible, provided that amarking element 24 extends distally past the distal-most end of anothercomponent. Otherwise, the distal-most end of another component mayprevent a marking element 24 from contacting an ocular surface andapplying a mark.

The marking element 24 may be positioned on the distal end of a markingwing 20. Generally, a marking element 24 may be an element configured toapply or place a mark, such as an ink mark, or another indicator, on thesurface of the cornea, sclera, or the sclera/cornea junction(collectively referred to as the eye surface). The marking element 24may comprise a material suitable for retaining and/or delivering the ink(or other indicator). For example, materials such as plastic, paper,metal, gelatin, hydrogel, aerogel, solid and gelled sugar/carbohydratemay be used. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a marking element 24 in moredetail. The marking element 24 may comprise a plurality of edgesdisposed on the end of a marking wing 20.

An eye marker tip 10 may include one or more mechanisms for storing ink(or another indicator), transferring ink to a marking element 24, and/ortransferring ink from a marking element 24 to the eye surface. Forexample, the marking element 24 may be pre-inked, whereby a tip or otherportion of marking element 24 is infused with ink prior to packaging orshipment to the user, for example. In some pre-inked embodiments, a usermay not need to reapply ink to the marking element 24. Additionally, themarking element 24 may be used repetitively, if necessary, on the samepatient for providing more than one mark without having to constantlyreapply ink to the marking element 24. For example, the volume ofpre-inked ink may be sufficient for more than one application of marks.An eye marker tip 10 may use an indicator other than ink. For example,in some embodiments, the marking element 24 may apply a tack or otherlike indicator on the surface of the cornea, sclera, or thesclera/cornea junction. In some embodiments, marking element 24 mayapply a cut to the top surface of the cornea, the epithelium, and notthrough Bowman's membrane. The cut may be the indicator, or may be usedin combination with another indicator. In some embodiments, the cutcould be seen using a special microscope lighting, or alternatively anink indicator could be placed on the cornea during the procedure toidentify the cut or disruption of the epithelium.

The marking element 24 may also contain a material and/or structure thatprovide a formed indicator reservoir or a channel for the ink (or otherindicator). The reservoir or channel may permit a passive flow of ink tothe marking element 24 surface. The marking element 24 may include, forexample, a material with nanotubules and/or nanochannels or the like.The marking element 24 may include a material containingpigment/indicator encapsulated microbeads and/or microgranules, that areable to release the indicator using a release mechanism. The releasemechanism may be, for example, making contact with pressure, water, thetear film, heat, a combination of one or more such mechanisms, oranother release mechanism as may be known in the art. Further, themarking element 24 may contain a microprint cartridge mechanism, inwhich an indicator is jetted from the marking element 24 in a desiredpattern by an electronic or non-electronic mechanism. The markingelement 24 may contain, or be in fluid communication with, acompressible reservoir of indicator/ink such that compression forces theindicator/ink to the surface of the marking element 24. The markingelement 24 may be coated with a biocompatible glue or gel that iscovered with the indicator/ink, such that the glue or gel acts as anadhesive to keep the indicator/ink attached to the marking element 24and such that the indicator/ink constitutes the external surface of themarking tip/glue/gel complex, or the marking element 24 may be abiocompatible glue or gel that is mixed with the indicator such that thecomposite of the glue/gel/indicator/ink constitutes the external surfaceof the nib. Embodiments of the marking element 24 may includecombinations of mechanisms. Embodiments of the eye marker tip 10 mayinclude marking elements 24 that have similar or different mechanisms orcombinations of mechanisms. A mechanism may be included in one or morecomponents of the eye marker tip 10, such as a marking wing 20 and lightchannel 18. For example, light channel 18 may include a reservoir influid communication with channels along a marking wing 20 leading tomarking element 24. Other configurations for including one or moremechanisms are possible without departing from the principles of thisdisclosure.

The eye marker tip 10 may be formed from a clear, transparent, ortranslucent plastic, metal, paper, biopolymer, or the like, or acombination of plastic and metal, or the like. In some embodiments,components of the eye marker tip 10 may be formed of one or moredifferent materials. In some embodiments, portions of components of theeye marker tip 10 may be formed of one or more different materials, orfeature portions that are transparent or translucent. The plastic mayallow light to pass through all or a portion of the eye marker tip toilluminate a surface, such as the surface of a patient's eye.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are side, top, and bottom views, respectively, ofanother embodiment of an eye marker tip 110. In this embodiment, eyemarker tip 110 includes marking elements 124, housing 150, cylindricalring 151, base 153, axial dial magnifying lens 152, parabolic (orprismatic) light deflector 154, and fixation button 156. In someembodiments, housing 150 may be a completely or partially enclosedcylinder, with marking elements 124 extending therefrom through markingwings as described above. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C,housing 150 is a hollow or an open structure, in which side walls 155and base 153 form an H-shaped profile when viewed from a side.Embodiments may include one or more side walls 155, and side walls maybe distributed radially around base 153 in a number of possibleconfigurations. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C includes two sidewalls 155 disposed on opposite sides of base 153. Further, in thisembodiment, making wings 160 extend proximally from side walls 155.Other embodiments may include side walls 155 that do not have markingwings, and marking wings that do not extend from a side wall 155.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C the eye marker tip 110contains a bottom portion (toward the bottom of FIG. 7A) and a topportion (toward the top of FIG. 7A). The bottom portion may beconfigured for attachment to an eye marker device 200, such as the eyemarker devices described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253,which is fully incorporated herein by reference. In embodiments of aneye marker device 200 with a ring dial 210, the bottom portion of thehousing 150 may be configured to be placed over the ring dial 210. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C the bottom portion of the housing150 has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the device 200or ring dial 210, that the hollow housing 150 may engaged in a removablyattached or mated configuration. Other embodiments may use analternative mechanism to attach an eye marker tip 110 to an eye markerdevice 200.

Embodiments of an eye marker tip may include a magnifier lens to assistusers in reading the settings on a ring dial or eye marker device. Alens may be included in a base, sidewall, or other structure, asappropriate for use with a corresponding ring dial or eye marker device.For example, FIGS. 7A-7C shows a pair of magnifier lens 152 on eyemarker tip 110. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, magnifier lens152 is disposed within the housing 150, and on a distal portion of sidewalls 155, in close proximity to the bottom portion, or use with ringdial 210. Attaching eye marker tip 110 to eye marker device 200 alignslens 152 to magnify a portion of ring dial 210, indicating the relativeposition of the eye marker tip 110. Other embodiments may position themagnifier lens as needed for use with a corresponding ring dial. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the magnifier lens 152 generally spansthe width of the interior of the housing 150, but other embodiments mayuse a larger or smaller lens relative to the housing 150 or side wall155. In some embodiments, not all side walls 155 include a lens.

Embodiments of an eye marker tip may incorporate a parabolic orprismatic light deflector to receive light from an eye marker device,and deflect the light. The light deflector may allow a portion of lightto pass distally, as described above with respect to the FIGS. 1-6. Forexample, the eye marker tip 110 in FIGS. 7A-7C includes a lightdeflector 154 disposed centrally on the base 153, generally between apair of magnifier lens 152. The light deflector 154 is designed todeflect light from a light source, such as LED 220 in an eye markerdevice 200, towards the outer axially outer edges of the base 153, andtowards the inner side surfaces of the housing 150 and side walls 155,thereby forming a deflected light shape. In this embodiment, the lightdeflector 154 is disposed above the eye marker device 200, such that thelight projected from LED 220 through the eye marker device 200 hits thelight deflector 154, and is deflected axially as shown in FIG. 7A. Someembodiments of the eye marker device 200 may include an opening 230 inthe center of the ring dial 210. In some embodiments, the lightdeflector 154 may be configured to align with an opening 230 forreceiving light. Base 153 may further include a magnification lens 158for focusing light received from an eye marker device. For instance, abase 153 may magnify light deflected axially, and/or may focus lightallowed to continue distally. The magnification lens may form amagnified light shape. In some embodiments, base 153 comprises amagnification lens 158.

When light contacts the light deflector 154, a portion of the light mayproceed distally through the center of the magnifier lens 158. Thiscreates a visible light dot for viewing by the patient. The lightdeflector 154 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C is generallydisposed on the underside of the base 153, and in some embodiments themagnifier lens 158 which may face the device and ring dial. In suchembodiments, a fixation button 156 may be positioned on the proximalside of base 154 and/or the magnifier lens 158. The light protrudesdistally through the fixation button 156, or in close axial proximity tothe fixation button 156, to create a light dot (or other shape) forviewing by the patient.

In embodiments with a light deflector 154, a portion of the lightdeflected axially by the parabolic or prismatic light deflector 154proceeds towards the outer axial edges of the base 154 and/or magnifierlens 158, and towards the inner axial side surfaces of the housing 150and side walls 155. The deflected light creates one or more visiblecircles of light when viewed from the proximal direction (top of FIG.7A, viewing toward the bottom of FIG. 7A) by the patient. When the eyemarker tip 110 is correctly aligned with respect to the patient's eye,the patient should perceive both the central light dot (or other shape)emitted from the fixation button 156, and at least one outer circle oflight along the outer edges of the base 153 and/or magnifier lens 158.When the patient's eye is in perfect alignment with the eye marker tip110, the central light dot 180 should be perfectly concentric with theouter circle of light 182, as shown in FIG. 8A. The light circle 184along the edge of base 153 may also be visible, and at perfect alignmentshould be concentric with the central light dot 180 and outer circle oflight 182, and outer circle of light 182 may also appear to form acomplete circle. More than one circles of light may appear, and in someembodiments the distance between the light source and the patient's eyemay determine the number of visible light circles. In some embodiments,the length of the eye marker tip from the distal end to the proximalend, may determine the number of visible circles. In some embodimentswith an enclosed and/or cylindrical housing, the length of the enclosedcylindrical portion may determine the number of visible circles. Whenthe patient's eye and eye marker tip 110 are incorrectly aligned, thepatient may view the light dot 180, but the outer circle of light 182and/or light circle 184 may appear discontinuous, out of alignment,and/or not visible at all, as shown in FIG. 8B.

The alignment technique described above has application beyond the eyemarker tip and eye marker device described in this application and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/427,253. For instance, the alignmenttechnique may be employed in various ophthalmic diagnostic devices inwhich alignment of the eye relative to a device is useful or necessaryto produce accurate results.

In some embodiments, the eye marker tip 110 may contain an axis dial190. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the axis dial 190 comprisesone or more protrusions extending axially from the bottom portion of theeye marker tip 110, projecting from the housing 150 and externallysurface of side walls 155. Other embodiments may feature one or moreprotrusions, in locations and configurations other than thedemonstrative configuration shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. The axis dial 190 maybe rotationally engaged to the housing 150 for allowing the axis dial190 to rotate around the housing 150 for adjusting the magnifier lens158.

The eye marker tip 110 may contain an elongate extension such as markingwings 160 that contains the marking element 124. The marking element 124may contain the structures and operate as described above. Someembodiments may be enclosed, such that the magnifier lens 158 andfixation button 156 are visible only from looking at a top view of theeye marker tip. For instance, eye marker tip 111 shown in FIG. 7Dincludes an enclosed housing, such that the single sidewall forms acontinuous cylinder. In embodiments incorporating an alignmenttechnique, the length of the housing may determine the number of visiblelight circles produced, as discussed above. Eye marker tip 111 alsoincludes LRI marking tips 125, whereas the embodiment shown in FIG. 7Aincludes toric marking tips 124. It should be understood that anembodiment of an eye marker tip may feature a marking tip appropriatefor the type of marking necessary. Some embodiments may featureremovable marking tips, such that a user may replace, for instance, atoric marking tip 124 with an LRI marking tip 125.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of the eye marker tip may bedisposable. For example, the upper portion of an eye marker tip thatcontains the marking element may be removable from the lower portion anddisposable. Such embodiments allow a portion of the eye marker tip to bedisposed and a new portion containing the marking element to be engagedto the lower portion of the eye marker tip. Such embodiments allow forquickly replenishing ink or indicator, and for rapid and sanitaryapplications of marks on a patient's eye. The disposable upper portionand the remaining lower portion may be engaged by a number ofselectively securing ways. For example, and not meant to be limiting,the disposable portion may contain a male section, and the remainingportion may have a female portion that are selectively secured to oneanother, or vice-versa. Alternatively, the one portion may have a ribthat slides within a channel on the other portion. The disposableportion and the remaining portion may be constructed of similar ordissimilar materials. For example and not meant to be limiting, thedisposable portion may be constructed of plastic and the remainingportion of the eye marker tip may be constructed of metal.

An eye marker tip may include a stress-breaking feature to prohibitre-use of the eye marker tip, which may be useful in numerous instances,such as embodiments in which the ink supply mechanism is not intended tobe refillable, and in embodiments in which the entire eye marker tip isdisposable. Disposing of an eye marker tip after a single use alsoensures that users maintain high levels of sanitation. A stress-breakerfeature causes a mechanical failure in the eye marker tip after acertain action, e.g., the eye marker tip breaks when a user attempts toremove the tip from the eye marker device.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an exemplar embodiment of an eye marker tip 310having a stress-breaker feature. Eye marker tip 310 includes marking tip324 projecting distally from marking wing 320. The housing 350 connectsmarking wings 320 and base 316. The housing 350 may also include axisdial protrusions 190 and magnifier lens 352, as described above.Magnifier lens 352 may include an axis alignment line 353, to assist auser with precise alignment of the eye marker tip 310 on a correspondingeye marker device. An interior surface of the housing may include anaxis alignment line 354, such as would be visible from the exterior, forthe same purpose. Base 316 may include a fixation button 356, and maycomprise a magnifier lens as described above. Although FIG. 9A] does notshow a mechanism for light from a corresponding eye marker device 400 todeflect and/or pass through base 316, embodiments may include suchfeatures as described above. As shown in FIG. 9B, this embodiment doesnot feature a circular housing 350 or a circular base 316. Thus,embodiments incorporating an alignment technique as described above mayrequire a patient to align an incomplete outer circle or arc length witha central light dot, and may also include an interior circle of lightformed by a magnifier lens incorporated on base 316. Some embodimentsmay include a segmented cylinder housing that incorporates the alignmenttechnique and also includes a region for a stress-breaker feature.

The stress-breaker feature in FIG. 9A is built into base 316. Base 316connects to housing 350 at break-away zones 360. Break-away zones 360may comprise reduced surface area or volume, and may also includematerials that suffer brittle or mechanical failure upon application ofa threshold force. In this embodiment, the eye marker tip 310 isconfigured to snap onto a corresponding eye marker device 400, such thatgroove lock projections 380 mate with indentations 381 on eye markerdevice 400. Indentations 381 may be circular, such that eye marker tip310 may be rotated for adjustment to the desired location. Otherembodiments may incorporate a different mechanism for connecting an eyemarker tip to a corresponding eye marker device, such as including anannular groove lock projection on an eye marker device, and including acorresponding indentation on the eye marker tip.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, eye marker tip 310 isconfigured to withstand the force of attaching eye marker tip 310 to eyemarker device 400. For example, break-away zones 360 do not fail when auser attaches the eye marker tip 310 to the eye marker device 400. As afurther example, break-away zones 360 do not break when groove lockprojections 380 slightly expand to fit around the upper dial portion ofeye marker device 400, or when groove lock projections 380 snap into theindentations 381. However, when a user attempts to detach eye marker tip310 from eye marker device 400, the user must apply a bending force tothe housing to expand the distance between groove lock projections 380 asufficient distance to fit over the upper portion of the eye markerdevice 400. The bending force causes a failure or break at one or morebreak-away zones 360, rendering the eye marker tip 310 unsuitable forfurther use. As a consequence, a user must use a new eye marker tip 310(preferably sterile and/or sanitized) for the next patient.

Some embodiments of an eye marker tip may include a marking wing orhousing having one or more flexion points or regions. A flexion point orregion allows the marking element to recoil or bend on the applicationof a force from the proximal direction, on the marking elements. Therecoil or bend may be used to assist the user with aligning more thanone marking elements, ensure contact between marking elements and thepatient's eye, and as a mechanism for delivering ink or anotherindicator from the housing or marking wing to a marking element. FIG. 10shows two embodiments of a marking wing having a flexion point orregion. In this embodiment, eye marker tip 500 includes a first markingwing 520 having a single flexion point 585. Other embodiments mayinclude more than one flexion point, and at various locations on amarking wing or housing. When force F acts on marking element 524,marking wing 520 may bend at flexion point by a desired amount, therebyallowing a desired displacement change of the marking element 524relative to the eye marker tip 500, other marking elements, and/or thepatient's eye. An eye marker tip may include more than one type offlexion feature. For example, eye marker tip 500 includes a secondmarking wing 521, having a flexion region 586 with multiple bends.Flexion region 586 may allow displacement of marking element 524 uponapplication of force F. the displacement of a marking element may beuseful for aligning multiple marking elements, ensuring one or moremarking elements contact the patient's eye at the same time and/or withthe desired force. It should be appreciated that flexion points andregions may be incorporated into an eye marker tip in more than onelocation and configuration, and provide one or more advantageousbenefits.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the approach. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The apparatus and methods described herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the principles described above.The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of this application beingindicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eye marker tip, comprising: a base; at leastone marking wing; and a marking element engaged to the at least onemarking wing.
 2. The eye marker tip of claim 1, further comprising apost that is at least one of hollow and comprising a translucentmaterial.
 3. The eye marker tip of claim 1, further comprising twomarking wings.
 4. The eye marker tip of claim 1, further comprising alight channel configured to allow light to proceed from a first end ofthe eye marker tip to a second end of the eye marker tip.
 5. The eyemarker tip of claim 1, further comprising attachment elements forpositioning the eye marker tip on an eye marker device.
 6. The eyemarker tip of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the marker tip isdisposable.
 7. The eye marker tip of claim 1, wherein the eye marker tiphas an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion isremovable from the lower portion.
 8. The eye marker tip of claim 1,wherein the housing includes a magnifying lens
 9. The eye marker tip ofclaim 1, wherein the base comprises a fixation button.
 10. The eyemarker tip of claim 9, wherein the fixation button is disposed on amagnifier lens.
 11. The eye marker tip of claim 1, wherein the basecomprises one of a parabolic light deflector and a prismatic lightdeflector.
 12. The eye marker tip of claim 11, further comprising alight deflector disposed on the magnifier lens.
 13. The eye marker tipof claim 1, wherein the base comprises a magnifier lens having aproximal side and a distal side, the distal side comprises a fixationbutton, and the proximal side comprises a light deflector.
 14. The eyemarker tip of claim 13, wherein the eye marker tip is configured toreceive light from an eye marker device, and produce at least two of acentral light shape, a magnified light shape, and a deflected lightshape.
 15. The eye marker tip of claim 1, further comprising at leastone axis dial disposed on an outer portion of the housing.
 16. The eyemarker tip of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least onebreak-away zone configured to break when the eye marker tip is removedfrom an eye marker device.
 17. The eye marker tip of claim 1, wherein amarking wing comprises a flexion point.
 18. An eye marking systemcomprising: an eye marker device; an eye marker tip configured forremovable connection to the eye marker device; the eye marker tipcomprising a base, at least one marking wing, and a marking elementengaged to the at least one marking wing.
 19. The eye marking system ofclaim 18, wherein the eye marker device comprises a light source, andthe eye marker tip base comprises a magnifier lens having a proximalside and a distal side, the distal side comprises a fixation button, andthe proximal side comprises a light deflector.
 20. The eye marker systemof claim 19, wherein the eye marker tip is configured to receive lightfrom an eye marker device, and produce at least two of a central lightshape, a magnified light shape, and a deflected light shape.